‘MILF rebels’ in Cotabato assault Army, Cafgus

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Philippines - Some 30 suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels attacked on Friday militia and Army camps in Midsayap and Aleosan towns, both in North Cotabato, reports reaching police headquarters said. Suspects first harassed the 11th Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) detachment manned by a certain Army S/Sgt. Pagsugiron in Pagangan-Uno village in Aleosan, around 10:30 p.m. Friday, said Sr. Supt. Lester Camba, North Cotabato Philippine National Police provincial director. Another group of alleged MILF rebels also attacked an Army detachment under the command of Army S/Sgt. Torres in Ranggaban-Dos village in nearby Midsayap town. The police said the rebels fired at the detachments in separate attacks but none among the government troops was injured. Army Col. Julieto Ando, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division, said the suspects could be coming from the 105th Base Command of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the MILF under Commander Umbra Kato. The troops were still on a defensive stance. “We retaliate once we’re attacked," Ando said. Camba said the PNP and the Army’s 602nd Brigade in North Cotabato have been placed under heightened alert since last week after hundreds of MILF rebels were sighted massing up in towns of Pigcawayan, Libungan, Midsayap, Aleosan, Kabacan and Pikit. He said that the insurgents attacked Wednesday two power facilities in M’lang and Matalam towns. They first bombed a steel tower of the National Transmission Corporation in Bagontapay village around 9:45 p.m. Two hours later, they fired anti-tank rockets at Cotelco’s biggest sub-station in Matalam, he added. Camba also advised commuters and truckers to keep away from the Cotabato-Davao highway, especially during night time to avoid being hit by crossfire, or attacked by the rebels. “We also received information that the rebels are out to set up blocking forces in this highway," said Camba. - Malu C. Manar, GMANews.TV